A binder of original color photographs and various printed materials compiled to support a loan application by a Robert W. Smith to open a Ramada Inn motel location in Hammond, Louisiana, circa-1968. The proposed location was meant to displace an existing 4-story motel and apartment building at the corner of Railroad Avenue and West Charles Street in the small south Louisiana city's downtown. It does not appear to have ever been built, though archived newspaper reports suggest Hammond-area franchise rights were awarded to Smith and two partners in 1969 and a location of the chain motel was built in 1974 near the interchange of Interstates 12 and 55 on the city's west side.

The binder forms a comprehensive glimpse at motel construction and operation in the late-1960's with a unique focus on south Louisiana via 23 original photographs of the proposed site and local environs (including potential competing motels, exterior views of major local employers, etc...), several printed maps, detailed economic and demographic data, etc... 

[Hospitality and Tourism] : [Louisiana]. RAMADA INN LOAN SUBMISSION [Cover Title - Binder of Original Photographs and Documents]. Hammond, Louisiana. Approximately 12" x 10 1/2" commercial binder. White vinyl over boards with a 19-ring snap-close binder assembly inside holding 25 clear plastic leaves with 23 card mounted photographs, documents, printed maps, etc... inside along with a few printed brochures and booklets. Faint musty odor and some light toning / foxing to contents. A few articles with offsetting from sticking to plastic leaves. Overall good.